Practical Nursing Diploma Program at Chattanooga State’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology Suspended

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Board of Nursing has placed Chattanooga State’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) diploma program on a one-year suspension as a result of not meeting the board’s minimum LPN licensure exam pass rate.

The Board of Nursing requires LPN training programs to ensure that at least 85 percent of their graduates pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for LPNs on their first attempt. TCAT-Chattanooga’s NCLEX pass rate was 78 percent in 2014, 83 percent in 2015 and 78 percent in 2016. The suspension follows two years of probation for the program.This decision will not impact the Registered Nursing (RN) A.A.S. degree program at Chattanooga State, which currently has a 98 percent pass rate based on 2016 scores.

The suspension means that currentLPN students will be allowed to finish the program and graduate, but no new students will be admitted until the suspension is lifted. The Board of Nursing will review the program’s progress at its February 2018 meeting in consideration of lifting this suspension.

TCAT-Chattanooga leaders are exploring a partnership with TCAT-Shelbyville to provide LPN training on Chattanooga State’s campus during this interim. By establishing this agreement, local students may have the option to pursue this high demand career.

“Although we are disappointed,” said Chattanooga State Interim President Debbie Adams, “we have already taken steps to improve results by strengthening admissions standards and reducing classsizefor more individualized instruction. We are evaluating the instruction while continuing to look for additional ways to improve the program, and by implementing these improvements, we intend to return to our long history of providing successful graduates to meet the demands of our local workforce.”